Experts on all things beef, fruit, and vegetable production will be on hand for the Plateau Ag Research and Education Center’s Steak and Potatoes Field Day Thursday.
Center Director Walt Hitch said this event will feature speakers on multiple cattle and crop production-related topics. Hitch said producers can benefit from expert insight about increasing profitability and solving problems in a shifting agriculture market.
“It’s just one more way to convey research and extension information out to the public,” Hitch said. “Typically, trying to find better ways to be productive, to be more profitable, new ideas, changes in the industry.”
Hitch said the event got its name from the topics covered, with steak referring to cattle and livestock, while potatoes covers fruit and vegetable production. Steak and Potatoes Day kicks off at the Plateau Ag Research and Education Center in Crossville Thursday at 8:30 am.
Hitch said the two topics were covered at separate field days in the past, but they were combined into one event after the realization that many beef producers also dabble in fruit and vegetable production and vice versa. Hitch said there will also be information relevant to land owners. Hitch said there are several individual sessions throughout the day, each lasting about 30 to 45 minutes.
He said some of this year’s beef cattle topics revolve around breeding more efficient calves and budgeting for forges. Hitch said forge producers are common on the Cumberland Plateau.
“That’s what we’re really able to grow,” Hitch said. “We’re able to grow grass and forges. A lot of part time farmers then use cattle to harvest that, and that becomes their crop.”
Other topics include pasture renovation and making the most of profits each year. Hitch said there will be some conversation about freezer beef from a consumer’s perspective, which will be presented by a new faculty member.
Hitch said presenters about fruits and vegetables will cover fruit trees and high density planting, food safety demonstrations, and vegetable variety trials. Hitch said there will also be discussion about pest control and crops.
“If you’ve got a burning question, you can come and listen to the presentations,” Hitch said. “Give you an opportunity between those to meet with the experts. And that’s a tremendous benefit to be able to do that at an event like this.”
Hitch said Steak and Potatoes Day has been in existence for about 20 years. He said separate field day events were held for years before the two categories were combined.
Hitch said registration for the event begins at 8am.